"Cough… Cough…"
Taylor had swallowed to fast.
He was chocking on the food like it was determined to punish him for starving this long.
"Huh…!"
I wheezed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Do you wanted some juice to help?"
Lennie offered it immediately, voice steady and kind.
"Yes, please."
I said, pressing a palm to my chest like I could force the pain back down.
Then she went inside quick and silent.
A moment later, she returned with a wooden cup.
-Thud!
She set it on the counter.
"Here you go."
He didn't immediately—he chugged it like there was no tomorrow.
Liquid poured on his throat, and the burn on his chest eased with ech swallow.
*This definitely tasted like orange juice. I haven't tasted this ever since I reincarnated.*
He thought.
-Thud!
He set the cup down with a dull thud.
"Haa…"
He Sighed after felling refreshed again.
"That hit the spot. Thank you."
Lennie let out a small chuckle while sweeping the wooden floor.
"No problem."
Then the atmosphere went silent for a moment.
"Anyway, who were those guys?"
He asked the last of his food settling in his stomach.
Lennie blinked like it was obvious.
"Oh, those guys?"
She waved a hand at the door.
"They're pirates."
"Pirates?"
He repeated, feeling the word click into place.
*I've read stories, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine them coming true.*
He thought.
"Yes, pirates are known for their daring martimes raids, brutal reputation, and lawless, rebellious lifestyles. There are wanted criminals. Most of which you find bounties everywhere."
She continued.
"This town wasn't always like this. It used to be peaceful—when I first got here, at least."
Her expression tightened.
"But a few years ago, they showed just up. Claiming to be they were subordinates of the infamous black beard."
"Blackbeard? Whose that?"
He thought aloud.
"Really? Guesse your mother never told you the folktale."
Lennie continued.
Her voice lowered, as if the tarven itself could listen.
"Black beard is one of the most feared pirates in intire seven seas.They say he even existed in the second catastrophe living for over two a hundred years."
"Two hundred years? Shouldn't he be dead by now?"
Taylor asked, shocked.
Finding the whole tale very hard to believe.
"Yes, he doesn't age and he never dies, he's essentially immortal. He's lived since the era of the hero. Legend says he was cursed by the god of the sea of himself after a dispute, they had."
*Since the age of the hero, huh?*
He thought, to himself.
"Feared by the navy he's been wiped out from the history books, not many remember his name. Becoming forgotten by history itself by the government, only existing as a folktale. To most he's known as black beard. But to all pirates he's known by a deiffernt name."
Taylor listened intently.
"What name do they know him by?"
"He's known as the 'Gost of the Mist' he's a legend to all that walk the sea."
The name itself sent shivers down Taylor's spine.
"Two hundred years s still alot though. It just seems impossible to me surely it's just a folktale parents use to scare off their children."
He asked, fear creeping in.
"Who knows some say he's still alive to this day, wandering the sea looking for the for a lost civilization."
He leaned in closer.
*Lost civilization?*
"They say any pirate who encounters the staggering 'Floating Dutchman'(his ship) doesn't live to tell the tale."
She said.
"Only a few have survived… even then who knows what's true. Some claim he's just a myth, made to inspire all pirates."
She paused, then dismissed the thought with a sharp shack of her head.
Like she refused to dwell on thoughts.
Hearing that Taylor gave out a long breath of relief.
"You sure do know a lot about pirates are you…?"
"Yes, I'm a pirate as well."
She answered with a confident nod.
"This world is a vast one. Full of mystery and magic. Another Whole world waiting to be discovered and studied. Snowy white lands. An untouched island. Hot scorching deserts. And of course treasures beyond your wildest imagination."
Taylor's eyes widened.
Like a match finally catching.
"And you're father…"
She continued.
"Your father wanted to explore all of it. He was ambitious—crazy ambitious. So he formed a Mercenary band to help him on his adventures. There was a total of six of us, including me… Garin, Lalia… him… and two more."
"The party was called [The Obsidian-Lamet] It was a long journey. We crossed storms that could break ships in half. We found ruins older than fear itself. I also young at the time. But thanks to Lalia and the others who welcomed me with opened arms I managed… but..."
Her voice lowered.
"But nothing lasts forever."
Taylor felt that sentence land like a stone in his stomach.
Then she continued.
"After the party split up, I chose to keep moving. I decided to adventure alone for a while… found a my master who taught for a while. Than when I ventured the sea. Not for long—just enough to learn about the deep sea."
Then she smiled sharp and excited.
"I miss exploring the ocean. The way it swallows maps. The way it hides secrets. Although my bounty isn't high but that will change soon."
"So then why…?"
Taylor started, but his voice trailed off.
"You're expression says it all. Let me guess, you want to know why I'm working in this tarven."
"Yeah."
He swallowed.
"Well, I'm just doing an old friend a favour.
She answered.
"Oh."
He said, then hurried to add.
"Must an important friend."
"Yes, she is."
She replied simply.
"But as soon as I'm done here… I'm taking to the sea. I'm going to find my old crew mates, and when I do—"
Her eyes hardened.
"I'll be the greatest pirate to ever walk this world. Feared by all."
She finished voice firm.
***
A/N:
[New posting schedule]
[1 chapter - Friday]
[1 chapter - Saturday]
[1 chapters - Sunday]
[Don't forget to drop a power stone or two, it really helps. See you then.]